Is this Russian girl scamming me? How to recognize scammers

Are you an American or Western European man exchanging emails with a girl from Russia? I was contacted by a girl who turned out to be a scammer. Reader Derrick put together some great advice how to detect scammers.
I only have one advice (#8) to add: If a Russian girl tells you that she will get a visa to the USA instead of inviting you, that is - under the current immigration law - a SURE sign that SHE LIES.

Here is the process how a Russian woman can come to the USA:

If she is considered a relatively young/ attractive woman (let's say under 40, hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings here), then there is virtually NO CHANCE THAT SHE GETS A TOURIST VISA TO THE USA. First the Russian Federation will not allow her to leave the country. Then, even if she was getting out, the USA will deny her admission. The reasoning is that she is considered a risk. How could she not be a risk? If she had family in Russia (husband, children) or a valuable business or real estate. Most likely the woman who writes you will be considered a risk. The only way for her to get a visa into the USA is this procedure:

the foreign man visits her in her native area in Russia

they get engaged during such a visit - take photos of the 2 of you together

he flies back and applies for a K-1 visa. A K-1 visa is also known as Fiancee visa, used for marriage-based immigration

once the K1 visa is granted, the girl can enter the USA and stay there for 3 months. By the end of these 3 months you HAVE to GET MARRIED or the girl has to go back home.

if you get married, the girl gets a greencard and can work

after 3 years of marriage, the girl can apply for a US citizenship. That's when they interview you to find out if it's a real marriage. She also has to answer some questions about US history, political system, etc etc.

Here are Derrick's tricks (1-7) that he uses immediately from the start:

GOOGLE or websearch the first part of the scammers first emails and/or 'profile'. SEE HOW MANY OTHER SITES their listed on! RECORD THOSE SITES FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THAT alone can give you a good idea IF your dealing with a scammer OR not.

GOOGLE or websearch the return email address. See how many 'hits' come from that search and also note all the sites. (many times you'll see the email end up on a 'scammers list') IF YOU FIND THE EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED ON A SCAMMER LIST - don't bother further, your only fooling yourself - no matter what excuse they might give you.

FROM THE START - ASK FOR SPECIFIC INFOMATION! A full name, address, phone number - something. OFFER THE SAME in exchange, except make it a P.O. box and a CELL PHONE rental card that will protect your identity. If you see your requests ignored, which you usually will, don't waste your time further.

ALWAYS ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS that would REQUIRE A SPECIFIC ANSWER outside the use of FORM LETTERS. IF YOU FIND your questions go unaddress in your reply emails from 'them/her' - YOUR DEALING WITH A SCAMMER. Again, don't bother further.

DON'T WAIT 6 MONTHS to offer to talk with the PROSPECT by phone! WHAT A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME! IF THERE IS CHEMISTRY OR APPEARS 'INTEREST' BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU - then sieze the opportunity. ARRANGE A PHONE CALL! International rates to Russia and most places are reasonably cheap. IF YOU GET THE REPLY ' I'M SO POOR I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE' - drop the whole thing, your only wasting your time and WILL BE SCAMMED at some point in the future.

PHOTO FLOOD! IF IT/SHE/HIM/THEM - LOOK TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - THEN IT PROBABLY IS! MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE SCAMMES USE PHOTOS OF MODELS IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES TO POSE ON THE NET IN THEIR PROFILE(s)! Consider this - IF THEY LOOK like a MODEL then tell you they're so poor they don't have access to a phone - YOUR BEING SCAMMED!

ASK FOR A SPECIAL PHOTO TO BE TAKEN. IF YOU SENT YOURS, HAVE THEM TAKE A PHOTO SHOWING THEM HOLDING UP YOUR PHOTO IN THE PICTURE! That is a good 'scammer filter' - even the most adept with Photoshop will easily be spoted.

BETTER STILL - ASK THEM TO TAKE A PHOTO THAT SHOWS THEM HOLDING A CURRENT NEWPAPER OF YOUR CHOICE OR THEIR COUNTRY, WITH A RESOLUTION THAT YOU CAN READ THE DATE! NOT some low grade - grainy photo! FEW WILL EVER DO THAT.

AT THE LEAST - ASK THEM FOR A PHOTO of them wearing a specific combination of clothes and/or colors - something different then the usual 'model clothing' - most use to send out. OR AN OBJECT - TOASTER, ELECTRIC CLOCK, BY A COUCH, IN A ROCKING CHAIR something that would be very hard to use PHOTOSHOP to just PUT in another FILE PHOTO.

*** IF this person is real or sincere, they won't mind doing this for you! ALSO - offer to do the same for their comfort also - that is only fair.

IF THINGS GET SERIOUS - then ASK THEM TO DELETE ALL THEIR OTHER WEB PROFILE POSTS! CHECK ON THE ONES YOU NOTED EARLIER! Again, IF THEIR SINCERE - they will - happily as your their DREAM and future!

If she talks about getting a visa or that she needs money to get a travel visa to the USA, she lies. See the proper course of action described at the top.

OJAS,I sometimes just put 'S' up depend's... Welcome,you're explanation clear's thing's up {I think?}! Alot of people post thing's here and,well,do dumb thing's.No info,just a pic.... Then there are some who just berate other's,try to start trouble,thing's like that.Scammer's do it too!!! So,I at least take it with a grain of salt and look at some with suspicion until proven otherwise.We can usually tell if it's a scammer and just ignore them,they go away! There was one a few week's ago that was a real pain for almost a week until we started ignoring him and hitting the 'spam' button on everything he posted.He went away too! {MAD I hope! LOL}The regulars are a good bunch of guy's and we have fun but get thing's done too! So join in,if you have question's just ask! Someone will answer. ttyl,'S'

She's not there...

2007-07-24, 15:53:44 (updated: 2007-07-24, 15:55:17)

Skeet from United States

HEY!!!!! Who you callin an 'old fart'??? LMAO!

Oh,wiseguy eh? I resemble that remark! LOL

Guess that mean's I have a 'style' huh?

She's not there...

2007-07-24, 16:16:34 (updated: 2007-07-24, 16:17:08)

drod from United States

S,

Pulled into a station yesterday for gas and realized I was already full. LMAO

Just wanted to let you know life is more enjoyable with company.

good hunting.........drod

2007-07-24, 17:49:35

Skeet from United States

OMFG! That's HILARIOUS! The ole' gray matter ain't what it used to be! LMAO

She's not there...

2007-07-24, 18:11:21

anonymous from Los Angeles, United States

Man - That was close!!!
Be careful - she is still operating out there.
I will attach more pics of her when I get home.
Something didn't seem right about this.
I'm glad I googled her name and found this site!!!

Anon Canada,Do you have a frontal pic of her? She look's familiar but I need to see the full face.Actually I don't,just clck the link above the pic {purple letter's}and it will bring you to a thread with that pic posted.If 'she' has the same name add your info there.If the e-mail addy is different post it.This site has a search window,it's in the blue band at the top of each page.You can use it to check the name and e-mail addy.If either are listed here a link will be given.If neither are here it's best to 'add new scammer'.That link is at the bottom of each page.If you're new to this and haven't done it before read through some thread's to see how it's done.And don't be afraid to ask question's,one of us regular's will try to help.

For future reference the following is the important info to post first;

A photo {preferably labeled with the name and e-mail address}

Name {with surname if possible}

E-mail address

Location {country,city,street}

Phone number {if given}

The first and money request letter,with full header.With that the IP can be seen and if an X-mailer {ie;THEBAT- For Russian scammers}is used.

The dating site the scammer contacted you on.

With that available people doing a google search will get answer's.

For future reference the following is the important info to post first;

A photo {preferably labeled with the name and e-mail address}

Name {with surname if possible}

E-mail address

Location {country,city,street}

Phone number {if given}

The first and money request letter,with full header.With that the IP can be seen and if an X-mailer {ie;THEBAT- For Russian scammers}is used.

The dating site the scammer contacted you on.

With that available people doing a google search will get answer's.

Her voice was soft and cool, her eyes were clear and bright
But she's not there

2007-07-30, 02:12:15

anonymous from Sweden

anonymous from United States ...it's bullshit!!..a visa to the US from Russia costs $100
I'm not sure about the passport, i can ask my russian girfriend, but it's $50 maximum

anyway 'she' can't get a visa to the USA without prepaid plane tickets, hotels rooms and spending money. She should be asking you for over 3000 dollars.

check the visa requirements for yourself

DON'T SEND ANY MONEY!!!!! IT'S A SCAM

2007-07-30, 07:44:51

anonymous from United States

Anon Sverige (Post 2007-07-30, 02:12:15), This link mentions courier Pony Express. I suspect rates vary but no idea how to get a chart Moscow - Destination

All, try the above link as an example. I request you post your own embassy links on this thread.

I'll try to alphabetically sort by the countries.

Thanks, and keep up the good work!

2007-07-30, 08:06:54

anonymous

this yana chick is writing to me now only the name is iraida i told her in my last e mail i send a 500.00 dollar money order to the address in brtsk she or he did not even aknowalage it just another form letter says she is in moscow now same story about police at airport what fool would fall for this crap